Friction shock absorbing mechanism



April 30, 1940. s B' HASEWNE 2,198,700

FRIGTION sHocK ABsoRBING MECHANISM Filed sept. 14. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffy. 6

` Patented Apr-30, 1940 PATENT ori-"lele:I

FRIcTIoN SHOCK ABsoaBING MEcHANIsM Stacy B. Hascltine, GlenyEllyn, Ill., assignorrto W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application septemberk 14, 1937, serial No. 163,769 17jc1a1ms. (C1. 213-32) This invention relates to improvements in friction shockabsorbing mechanisms for rail-` way draft riggings, and more particularly to such mechanisms whereinare employed a wedge fric-` y tion system including Vwedge means `and a plurality of friction shoes coacting with `a friction casing.

As is Well known to those `skilled in the art,`

in order to obtain the required high capacity te` gether with ecient and reliable operation of friction shockabsorbing mechanisms for railway draft riggings demanded by modern railway practice, it is important that the cooperating elements of the friction wedge system-be ac- 151i curately tted to each other when operating in service, in otherwords, that they have true contact witheach other on relatively large surface areas. e l l l To effect such accurate tting of the parts bythe usual manufacturing procedures is impractical because the labor and expense involved is prohibitive. i Y i a The friction casings, which are in the4 form of castings, are subject to certain slight inaccuracies o due to unavoidable foundry variations, affecting trueness of the friction shell sectionsthereof, and `the trueing up of `the friction` surfaces of the shell by` procedures commonly` employed by skilled mechanics is prohibitive in cost due to 301 the time and labor involved in sucntrueing up operations. These inaccuracies occur `due to the necessary foundry variations which must beper` mitted in commercial practice in theimanufac- `ture of the friction casings and thus` there is a 35oi lack of uniformity in the casings produced.

It has for sometime been the practice in this compressions of the mechanism.

One object of theinvention is toplllvide a shock, absorbing mechanism including friction shoes and wedge means forming a friction :clutch mcooperating with a `friction casing, wherein the opposed engaged faces or surfaces of the wedge means, and shoes are so formed that universal adjustment is providedlbetween saidparts within the limits of variations` necessitated by commerafwclalmanufacture of tliacas'ings to. positively insure immediate proper contact of all of the col operating engaging setsof friction surfaces of the shoes and casing of the mechanism, and true contact between said wedge faces of the shoes and Wedge means after a few actuations of said mechanism.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a type of friction shock absorbing mechanism comprising a friction casing having interior friction surfaces extending lengthwise of `the casing, a plurality of frictionshoes slidable on said surfaces, and a centrally disposed Wedge block having wedge'faces engagingthe shoes, wherein the engaging faces of the wedge and shoes are initially crowned in such a manner as to provideuniversal adjustment between these parts to compensate for slight variations in transverse alignment of the cooperating friction surfoundry variations `occurring in., commercial practice.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a process or method by which the contacting faces of the pressure transmitting wedge and shoes of the mechanism of the character indicated'will be brought into true at surface engagement With each other after a very few actua-` tions after the parts have been assembled, whereby `permitted foundry variations in transverse contour and inclination of the friction surfaces of the `casing containing the wedge and shoes will be automatically compensated for.l

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following. In the drawings forming a part of this speci- Viication, Figure 1 is a broken longitudinalA sec,- tional view of a portion of a railway draft rigging illustrating my improvements in connection therewith, the section through the shell or casing and friction elements therewithin corresponding to two section planes at 120 apart, as indicated by the line l--l in Figure 2. Figurev 2 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a view similar toFigure 1, illustratinganother embodiment of the invention, and showing' the front end portion of the friction shock absorbing mechanism, the cooperating parts of the railway draft rigging being omitted in this view, the section being on the line 3 3 of Figure 4. Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 4 4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, i1- lustrating still another embodiment of the invention, said view being taken on the sectional `line 5-5vof Figure 6. Figure "Sis a transverse vertical'sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line Ei--l of Figure 5.

In said drawings, lo--m denote the usual crafty or center sills of a car `underframe structure, said sills being preferably of channel cross section and to the inner faces of which are secured f the usual front and rear stop'lugs lI-*II vand i2-l2. The inner end portion of the drawbar is indicated at I3, the same being operatively connected to a hooded yoke I4 of well-known form ,l and within which is disposed the shock absorbing vention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the improved shock absorbing mechanism proper, as shown, comprises a casing A; a pressure transmitting wedge B having longitudinally crowned wedge faces; three friction shoes C--C and D.

having transversely crowned wedge faces; a springA resistance E; and a retainer bolt F..

The casing A is of substantially hexagonal exterior cross section having the friction shell portionproper I8 thereof formed at the openfront end thereof. Rearwardly of the .frictionshell section, the casing A provides a spring cage .por-

tio-n I9. The casing is closed at therearend by a transverse verticalv wall 29 which]- extendsv laterally outwardly at opposite sides of thecasing',. thus providing flanges which form the springfollower section I6' cooperating with the rear stop lugs l2-I2 in the manner of the usual `rear follower. As shown clearly in Figures 1 andy-2,

V thewalls ofthe friction shell portion I8 of the casing are relatively thickened with respect Vtothe rear sections of said wall. The friction shell section I9 of the casing is of hexagonal interior cross section an'd presents three interiorI friction surfaces 2I-2I`-2I-fwhich are of V-shaped cross section, extend lengthwise of the-casing, present substantially flat faces, and converge inwardly' and rearwardly toward the central longitudinal axis of said casing. As will be evident, the converged frictionsurfaces 2I--2I'-2I toward the rear of the mechanism. The wedge B. through which the pressure is transmitted, is in the form of a hollow block having a front transverse bearing face 22 `engag` At its rear end, the i ing the front follower. I5.

wedge B is provided with three rearwardly-converging, longitudinally convex or crowned :wedge4v faces 23%23-23 disposed around the center or` 'axis of the wedge and giving the wedge the apvpearance of a truncated triangular pyramid.

lThe three friction shoes C-C and D are preferably in the form of drop-forgings and are of like construction, except as hereinafter pointedl but, each having `an outer y-shaped friction; sur.-

a J provide a "friction shelll portion which is tapered slightly face 24, the sections of which are in at face engagement with the corresponding sections of the cooperating V-shaped friction surface 2l of the casing A and correspondingly inclined thereto. On the inner side, that is, the side nearest the axis of the casing A, each shoe is provided with a lateral enlargement 25 on the front side of which is provided a rearwardly and inwardly inclined, transversely convex or crowned face 2E cooperating with one of the inclined faces 23of the wedge block B. As shown clearly respectively in Figures 1 and 2, the faces 23 of the ywedge Band `2,6 of the shoes C-C and D are only slightly crowned or convex, being curved on an varc of relatively great radius, for a purpose hereinafter described.

In the present disclosure, my improvements arefshownf asV embodied in a friction shock absorbing mechanism of the blunt and keen angle type, 'that is, of the character illustrated in OConnor Patent No. 1,497,935, June 17, 1924,

anisms wherein the angles of wedging engagement between the wedge and the friction shoes are all equal, that is, whereinthe wedge has wedging engagement at the same angle with each shoe. As shown in the drawings, the shoes C and C have blunt wedging engagement with the wedge B, and the shoe D has keen angle wedging engagement with saidv wedge. v

The spring ,resistance E, as shown, comprises an outer heavy coil 21 bearing; at its inner end` against the wall 20 of the casing A. and an inner relatively lighter coil 28 'bearing at its inner. endon a hollow cuplike boss 29 formed integral with the end wall 2i). At its forward end, the outer coilf21 'o f the spring bears directly on theA inner ends of the shoes C-C and D. The inner coil 28 of the spring extends forwardly beyond the coil 21 and bears on the transverse shoulders SIl-B-Sil formed by the enlargements 25-25.- 25 of the shoes C-C and D.v The retainer bolt F is anchored end Within the boss 29 and at its .forward end within a suitable recess providedy within the wedge B, ,the latter being apertured to accommodate the rshank of the bolt. The 'bolt F not only serves tomaintain the parts assembled but isl yalso utilized t0 adjust the parts to proper overall length to `maintain them in this position when under full release, and to. place the spring under initial compression to compensate for wear.

4In connection with my'improved shock absorbing 'mechanism, assuming a compression action due toy either a4 buffing or draft action of the drawbar, the general operation of the mechanism is as follows, detailed consideration of the cooperating convex or crowned inclined faces being omitted at this time: As the wedge B is forced inwardly of `the casing, the shoes C-C and D` will. be forced rearwardly therewith against the v resistance of the spring E and spread apart due to thewedging action between the cooperating wedgefaces of the wedge BA and the shoes, thereby forcing the shoes into intimate frictional contact with the friction Asurfaces of the casing A; High frictional resistance is thusproduced be-`J tween'the casing A and the shoes C-C and D- asthey are forced inwardly/of thelatter,` there- I by effecting cushioning.I of the shoclm to which` the mechanismv is subjected.. Due to the inward i751A at its rear `2,1.eeaori taper of the `friction Ashell section `|`;8,of the casing A, a differential action will be set up between the shoes ,C-C and D and the wedge B,

,during compressionof the mechanism, the shoes ,being advanced inwardly of the casing at a `greater rate than the wedge,` thereby `augmenting the resistance to shocks offered by the mechanism. s

Upon reduction of the actuating `or .compression force, the expansive actionof the Vspring E. ef-` fects release of the parts by forcing `the shoes C C and D and wedge B outwardly until further outward movement of `the wedge is limited by the boltF. The three shoes will be forced outwardly to their normal position limited by the` wedge B` as clearly shown in Figure` 1.

Referring now more specifically to the operation of the convexed `or crowned surfaces of the V pressure transmitting Wedge B and the shoes L of `two degreesin .the taper of the casing friction C-.C andD: In commercial practice a variation surfaces :in a device `of the kind .disclosed is permitted.v In `carrying out my invention, the radius of curvature of each convex face 23 is made relatively long and of such a length `that it will accommodate variations within the two degrees hereinbefore referred to, that is, assuming the maximum variation in one direction, contact will The curvature of the transversely convex orcrowned surface 26 `of each shoe is such that it will..accommodate variations in the hexagonal `contour .ofthe casing, that is,` that the shoe will fit the corresponding V-shaped friction surfaces of the casing when the casing is slightly distorted andthe surface .displaced with respect to what' its position would bein a truly hexagonal case ing as designed having all its sides equal. Any inequality which results from the V-shaped fric- `tion surfaces of `the casing being askew is compensated for by transverse rocking of the curved `.face 26 of the shoe on the `cooperating wedge face 23 of thewedge block B. The curvature of the face 26 is preferably made relatively slight to facilitate rapid attening of the same `under pressure ,and still give the maximum limitof ad-` i justment required.

When `the parts are assembled, there will be, theoretically only, a point contact between each set of surfaces 23 and 26, but assoon as the device is compressed .once this theoretical point contact will immediately be'widened into a sure` face contact of appreciable area, and as two or three or four additional compressions of the mechanism occur, the area `of `contact is correspondingly increased untilya sufliciently large enough area is obtained to insure the proper functioning of the device. i l

This process of ttinglthe parts to compensate for permissible foundry variations can obviously jbe ,accomplished in the usual test of `the gear `before being shipped and applied tothe car.

`lteferring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in-,Figures 3` and ll, the struc y turecomprises a substantially hexagonal friction casing G; a wedge block H; ythree friction .shoes K-K and L; `a spring resistance M; and a retainer bolt N. i

The friction casing` spring resistance M,

and retainer bolt N are identical with the ,cas-l ing A, spring resistance E, and retainer bolt F, hereinbefore described inconnection with Figures 1, and 2, and the wedge H and the friction shoes K-K and L `are `similar `to the wedge B and the shoes C-C and D, hereinbeforedescribed, with the exception that the cooperating wedge faces of ,the wedge H vand theshoes kK-K and `L are of a different character. The wedge faces of the wedge block I-I, which are indicated by Imi-4234423.,` are slightly crowned or convexed transversely, and the wedge faces of the shoes,`

which are indicated by |2,5-.|,25|26, are crowned or curved longitudinally of `the mechanism. `rThese cooperating faces |23 and |26 `are thus substantially the reverse of the faces 23 and 2t of the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but together operate in asimilar manner, the longitudinally curved face |26 ofthe shoe `compensating for irregularities `inthe taper of the casing, and the transversely `curved face I 23 of the wedge compensating for irregularity vin the hexagonal contourfof the casing.

Referring next to the .embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figures 5 and 6, the structure comprises a Substantially hexagonal casing `O; .a wedge block P having ,substantially nat wedge faces; friction shoes R-R and S,`each having a wedge face which is crowned or curved both longitudinally and transversely;` a 'spring resistance l V; and a retainer bolt W.

The friction `casing .0, `spring resistance V, and retainer bolt W are identical with the casingA, spring resistanceE, and retainer holt F, hereinbefore described` in connection withFigures l .and 2, and the wedge P and friction shoes and S are similar ,to `the wedge B and shoes C--.C and D, thereinbefore described, with the exception` `that the wedge` faces of ,the `wedge block F, which .are indicated by 223, are perfectly fiat and the wedge faces of the shoes Rss-R `and S, which are toV . l indicated by .22-226-226, are curved .both lone V gitudinally and transversely. The. shoe faces` 22E-22t--22i thus `provide for radjustment both for variations in inclination of the friction surfaces of the `casing and variations in the hexagonal contour of said easing. 1n` other words, the faces 226-226-225 of ball-shaped contour providefor universal adjustment of the shoes with respect to the wedge block. l y

In operation, the constructions illustrated `in Figures 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 function in substantially the same manner as the device illustrated` in Figures l `and 2, the crowned wedge faces being flattened out after `a few compressions `of the mechanism to produce true fiat surface Contact` between thewedge andshoes. v

From the foregoing it will be observed that my improvements permit `of `automatic compensation of the `parts even though the variation in inclination of one friction surface 2| may differ from the variation found inwanyother friction surface 2| and though `the `casing maybe distorted from true regular hexagonal shape in cross section. It will also be evident that no increase in cost of manufacture `of any `0f the parts as com# pared with a deviceof similar-type is involved,

` and the parts will automatically adjust themselves and produce the desired results herein before indicated.`

` I `have heneinshown and described what .l now resistance; `a friction shoe cooperable with one of thefriction surfaces of said casing and slidable 4thereon lengthwise of the casing, said shoe having on its inner side a transversely disposed, longitudinally extending face inclined inwardly toward the center of the casing; and a member through which the actuating pressure is transmitted to said shoe `and having a corresponding contacting face, one of said faces being curved in transverse direction, the curvature of said face being relatively slight, whereby when the parts are initially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to compensate for variations, within predetermined limits, incross-sectional, interior contour of said frictionshell section, `said curved face being flattened automatically upon actuations ofthe mechanism to thereby increase the area of con-` tact of said surfaces and produce true Contact therebetween. ,l

2. "In ay friction shock absorbing mechamsm,

1 the combinationwith a friction casing having interior, longitudinally extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; friction shoes cooperable with said surfaces; and a wedge block through which the pressure is transmitted to said shoes, said wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging wedge faces, one face of each set being curved both transversely and longitudinally, said transverse and longitudinal curvatures being relatively small, whereby when the parts are initially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to compensate for variations `within predetermined limits, said curved faces being flattened out automatically upon actuations of the mechanism to thereby increasethe .area of contact of said faces and produce true contact therebetween.

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination With a friction casing having interior, longitudinally extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; friction shoes cooperable with said surfaces; and a wedge block K through which the pressure is transmitted to said shoes, said Wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging wedge faces, one face of each set being curved transversely and the other face of said set being curved longitudinally, the transverse and longitudinal curvatures of said faces being relatively small, whereby when the parts are initially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to compensate for variations within predetermined limits, said curved faces being flattened out automatically upon actuations of the mechanism to thereby increase the area of contact of said faces and produce true contact therebetween.

4.l In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing having interior, longitudinally extending, inwardly converging friction surfaces of V-shaped cross sec-y tion; of a spring resistance; friction shoes hav- `ing V-shaped surfaces cooperable with said casing surfaces; and a wedge block through whichthe pressure is transmitted to said shoes, said wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging Wedgefaces, one of said faces of each set being curved in a direction transversely ofthe casing, the curvature of said face being relatively slight, whereby When the parts are initially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to compensate for variations, Within predetermined limits, in the angularity in the friction surfaces of thezcasing, said curved faces being flattened out automatically upon actuations of the mechanism lto thereby increase the area of contact of said faces and produce true contact therebetween.

5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing of substantially hexagonal cross section `having interior, longitudinally extending, inwardly converging friction surfaces of vV-shaped cross section; of a spring resistance; friction shoes having V-shaped friction surfaces cooperable with said casingsurfaces; and a wedge block through which the pressure is transmitted to said shoes, said wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging wedge faces, one face of each set being curved both transversely and longitudinally, said transverse and longitudinal curvatures being relatively small, whereby when the parts vare ini'-` tially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to .compensate for variations within predetermined limits, Said curved faces being flattened out automatically upon actuations of the mechanism tothereby increase the area of contact of said faces and produce true contact therebetween.

6. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing of hexagonal shape having interior, longitudinally .extending, inwardly converging friction surfaces of V-shaped cross section; of a spring resistance;" friction shoes having V-shaped friction surfaces cooperating with said casing surfaces; and a wedge blockthrough which the pressure is trans-.l mitted to said shoes, said wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging wedge faces, one face of each set being curvedv transversely and the other face of said set being curved longi` tudinally, the transverse and longitudinal curvatures of said faces being relatively small, whereby when thek parts are initially assembled contact of relatively minute area is had between said faces to compensate for variations within predetermined limits, 'said curved faces being flattened: out automatically upon actuations of the' mechanism to thereby increasethe area of contact of said faces and produce true contactv therebetween.

7. yIn .a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing having inte--- rior, longitudinally extending friction surfacesy surrounding the longitudinal central axis of the casing and forming the friction shellsection of said casing; of a spring resistance; friction shoes' in engagement with said friction surfaces; and a' wedge block, said wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of Wedge faces inclined inwardly" toward the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, the shoe wedge face of each set being curved inV a direction transversely of the casing to provide for adjustment to compensate for variations in cross-sectional, interior contour of said shell section.

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, thecombination with a friction casing having' interior. longitudinally extending friction surfriction shoes having friction surfaces engagingv said casing surfaces; andv a Wedge block through which the pressure `is transmitted to said shoes,

said Wedge block and shoes having cooperating sets of engaging' Wedge faces, the facesof each set having contact with each other at one common point and diverging slightly from eachother in both longitudinal and lateral directions `from said point `of` Contact, to provide for relative rockv6y if y alasxfon ingadjustment between said wedge and shoesto compensate for variations VWithin predetermined limits in cross-sectional and longitudinal interior gagement between the surfaces of each set.

.STACY B. HASELTINE. 

